GOTAFE welcomes students back to campus

The North Central Review

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March 9, 2021

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By Aleksandra Bliszczyk

GOTAFE students were welcomed onto campus for orientation week last week, signaling the start of the new academic year.

The Wallan campus came alive again with students pouring in on Friday for a day of speeches, games, food and music, which gave them the opportunity to meet their new classmates and teachers.

GOTAFE communications and engagement coordinator Mary Orgill said everyone was excited to be back after a year of remote learning, but lockdowns also provided new online opportunities for students.

“I’ve been at the O-Week here, at Seymour, and at Shepparton this week and it’s just so lovely to see people back on campus and interacting with each other and getting that human contact again, that’s just absolutely amazing,” she said.

“GOTAFE was very quick to pivot to online and now we’ve got a lot of blended courses where we’re offering a lot of it online and then coming in to do some of the hands-on things that are required to complete the course.

“I think the students are just so pleased to be able to get together again, and you can’t really do, say, baking courses unless you’re actually in the commercial kitchen.”

GOTAFE offers more than 130 courses across eight campuses in 11 municipalities, making it the biggest vocational training provider in regional Victoria. It serves about 9000 students each year and employs more than 500 staff.

This year GOTAFE’s nursing and some of its trades courses have seen increased demand and have been oversubscribed this semester, with many enrolments already confirmed for semester two. The courses are mostly taught at the Seymour campus, while Wallan’s focuses are business and leadership, IT and more, including a new pet-grooming course.

Student ambassador Amelia Dean, currently studying her fourth GOTAFE course with plans to soon start a fifth, gave a speech at Wallan’s O-Week to encourage students.

Ms Dean, who lives with a disability, said she ‘really, really struggled in high school’ to the point where it was no longer an option for her.

“My health fell apart and the school didn’t really know how to deal with me,” she said.

She took a year off, then signed up for a course at Seymour GOTAFE after driving past and deciding to wander inside.

“It’s really inclusive, it’s a great place to learn,” she said.

“I haven’t felt a huge gap between teachers, you can just talk to them like they’re human beings and it’s honestly the best experience.”

Ms Orgill said being back on campus also helped teachers and trainers showcase the students’ work within the broader community, which she hoped would in turn help them find employment down the track.

“Obviously regional Victoria is not in a great space for jobs but hopefully we’re giving people the skills to move into the things where there are going to be opportunities in the future, like community services – we just had the mental health report and the aged care [Royal Commission] and the courses that we do around care and community care in both mental health and aged care will definitely help those people, so hopefully’ they’ll be jobs for those people in the future,” she said.

Helping Harvey’s road to recovery

The North Central Review

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March 9, 2021

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Willowmavin teenager Harvey McKeever will need all his strength to recover from a dirt bike accident at his home last month, but a huge support network has already set about providing assistance.

Harvey, 15 at the time of the accident but has since turned 16 in hospital, was riding his motorbike on his family’s property – when he hit a log and flipped the bike on February 4.

Dirtbike riding is one the Broadford Secondary College year 11 student’s favourite hobbies.

His mother Renae was also outside on the property and, when she couldn’t hear his bike, rushed to his aid.

Kilmore paramedics were first on the scene, and Harvey was flown by ambulance helicopter to the Royal Children’s Hospital.

Harvey had a shattered C4 in his vertebrae, requiring surgery where bone was taken from his hip to fuse together the fourth cervical vertebra.

He was placed in an induced coma and is now in intensive care, conscious but on a ventilator – the C4 affects nerves in the diaphragm, which means he needs assistance with breathing.

Harvey’s aunty Niree Weybury is now in charge of fundraising to set up the family home for her nephew’s return.

She said while Harvey does not have spinal chord damage, his prognosis was unclear.

“Everthing is still swollen but he is making small progress,” she said.

“He’s in good spirits – he said ‘I’m fighting this and I’m going to get better’.

“Harvey is such as determined kid – he will [get better]. We’re just crossing everything that he recovers fully.”

Ms Weybury said Harvey’s family, including parents Renae and Brad and sister Seren, have been overwhelmed with support since the accident.

Harvey McKeever2 — Harvey McKeever, a Broadford Secondary College student, remains in the Royal Children’s Hospital after his motorbike accident.

“It’s been very overwelming – people have been so generous with dropping off meals and people from across Australia are sending flowers and cards with well wishes,” she said.

She also particularly thanked Kilmore paramedics who initially cared for Harvey.

“They keep checking in on how Harvey is,” she said.

Ms Weybury kicked off the fundraising campaign by selling stubby holders with a photograph and the words ‘Helping Harvey’ for $10 each.

She was blown away at the response, having to already triple her original order of 100.

“My husband Phil is going to ride the Great Victorian Rail Trail, from Mansfield to Tallarook on May 1 and raise money for Harvey that way,” she said.

“He has ridden it before but never in one day – it’s 134 kilometres, so he’s asking people for $1 a kilometre.

“Phil and Harvey do a lot of mountain bike riding together so he thought this would be a good way to fundraise.”

Oaklands Pony Club is also hosting a Freshman’s Show Jumping Day on April 10, with a raffle and sausage sizzle to fundraise money for Harvey’s recovery.

Ms Weybury and her mother have also set up a bank account as a trust for Harvey, where people can donate directly.

The bank details are: BSB: 633 000; account number 181 591 595.

“Any money left over or if we don’t need as much as we receive, will be donated to Ronald McDonald House, where Renae and Brad are staying and they have just been wonderful,” Ms Weybury said. For more information or to help fundraise, people can contact Ms Weybury via email at bernwey1@bigpond.com.

Mullet set to go

The North Central Review

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March 9, 2021

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COMMUNITY-involved Broadford resident David Wilson will shave his long-time mullet, a hairstyle his own children have never seen him without.

Mr Wilson said he was participating in the World’s Greatest Shave to support children who were getting sick.

“I’ve got seven grandchildren, I’ve been involved in junior cricket, football, netball, basketball, and I just hate seeing kids getting crook, so I thought I’d pursue this for a change – plus I need a haircut,” he laughed.

“I’ve always been involved with young kids around the 12 or 13-year-old mark.

“I’d hate to see one of my grandchildren get it. At least I’m making a change. The support’s been good, everyone’s been good about it.

“I’ve had a mullet for about 45 years, the only time I didn’t was when I was 18, but I still had long hair. I’ll get the old beanie out. It’s a change.”

Mr Wilson said he had well-surpassed his goal of $2000 and was expecting more donations on the day. Mr Wilson will have his hair shaved by a hairdresser at Mac’s Irish Pub in Kilmore on Sunday at 2.30pm. Any further donations are welcome.

Legend’s special visit

The North Central Review

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March 9, 2021

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By Colin MacGillivray

FOOTBALL legend Neale Daniher made a special visit to his former school Assumption College Kilmore last week for the sod-turning ceremony of a multi-million-dollar sports and community facility that will bear his name.

The $5 million facility will be known as the Neale Daniher Community and Sporting Pavilion and will feature a hall, home and visitor change rooms, a grandstand, umpire area, multipurpose communal area, function centre with seating for 200 people, warm-up spaces, equipment storage facilities and plaques telling Mr Daniher’s story.

Mr Daniher is one of the college’s most famous alumni, having played football for Essendon after two years at Assumption and coached Melbourne for 10 seasons.

But he is perhaps best known for his work raising money and awareness to combat motor neurone disease, MND, with which he was diagnosed in 2014.

Mr Daniher and his brother Anthony attended the sod-turning and dedication ceremony for the new facility on Thursday.

Anthony read a statement on behalf of Neale at the ceremony and said his brother was honoured to be recognised by the college.

“Neale would like to thank the school for the honour and the recognition,” he said.

“This is such a proud event for the family, given there are so many former students and teachers whose names could easily have been on the new pavilion and who have made major contributions to society since the school has been established.

“I look forward to returning to the school to be part of the opening of the pavilion.

“It’s sure to be a great asset not only for the students, but the wider community of Kilmore for years to come.”

Assumption College principal Kate Fogarty said naming the pavilion after Mr Daniher had been an obvious choice.

“A couple of years ago when it started to become real, we starting thinking about what we were going to name it,” she said.

“While we’ve got some amazing alumni in the sporting field, in the legal field, in the medical field – pretty much any field you can think of – Neale’s name just kept coming to the top, not just because of his sporting achievements but because of his work with MND research and fundraising and awareness raising.

“It’s a beautiful building. It’s going to be tremendously useful for us here at the college, but we always intended for it to be a resource for the broader community.

“We’re looking forward to being able to welcome community groups for all sorts of different functions, because there is nothing in the community that replicates what it will be.”

Long-time Assumption College cricket and football coach Ray Carroll, a mentor of Mr Daniher’s during his school days, was a guest speaker at the ceremony. Fittingly, the new pavilion will overlook the college’s oval, which is named after Mr Carroll.

He paid tribute to Mr Daniher’s determination and fighting spirit.

“He’s inspired not only Melbourne, Victoria and the whole nation, but people on the other side of the world. His courage and spirit in the face of adversity is his hallmark,” Mr Carroll said.

Ms Fogarty said construction of the new pavilion was due to be completed in November, with the facility set to open in 2022.

“It is our privilege to name this building in [Neale’s] honour, and we look forward to opening it in November and having another big celebration then,” she said.

“We’ve raised about $1.5 million and still have various local groups, businesses and past students pledging money.

“We have a capital fund that is still receiving money, so if anyone is interested in contributing to the building, they are more than welcome to get in touch.”

Quarry decision in minister’s hands

The North Central Review

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March 9, 2021

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By Colin MacGillivray

THE final decision on planning permission for a quarry south of Wallan now rests with Planning Minister Richard Wynne after his office ‘called in’ a Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal proceeding last week.

VCAT was due to hear an appeal from quarry operator Conundrum Holdings in May after Mitchell Shire Council rejected a planning permit for the quarry last month.

A government spokesperson confirmed Mr Wynne’s office had taken over the proceeding but did not give an expected timeframe for the minister’s decision.

“In October 2020, an independent planning panel appointed to consider Amendment C106 to the Mitchell Planning Scheme for the Beveridge North West [Precinct Structure Plan] recommended that the PSP be revised to include precinct-level planning for extractive resources,” the spokesperson said.

“The Victorian Planning Authority requested that [Richard Wynne] call in the proceeding on the basis the determination of the planning permit for the quarry is premature and should be considered at the same time as the wider strategic planning for the Beveridge North West PSP area.

“The planning permit application for the quarry will be reviewed by an independent ministerial advisory committee who will provide advice on its merits and whether a permit should be granted.

“The minister will consider the recommendations of the advisory committee appointed to review the matter, as well as all submissions made about the proposal, including from the proponent, Mitchell Shire Council and other interested parties.

“The application was called in in order to thoroughly assess the proposed quarry in conjunction with the proposed Beveridge North West Precinct Structure Plan being developed by the Victorian Planning Authority.”

Mitchell Shire Council Mayor Rhonda Sanderson said it was ‘an encouraging sign’ the quarry decision had been called in by Mr Wynne.

“The quarry application, combined with the independent planning panel’s recommendations regarding the quarry in the Beveridge North West Precinct Structure Plan, present significant planning policy challenges,” she said.

“The whole corridor from Beveridge through to Wallan is expected to be home to around 235,000 people. If the quarry goes ahead, these future communities will be disconnected, not to mention the negative impact on the people who already call the area home.

“We’re doing things differently at Mitchell. We’re planning for quality developments that include open spaces, world-class services and healthy, connected communities. A quarry in this location will destroy this and undermine the good planning outcomes we’re trying to achieve.

“A quarry here doesn’t make good planning sense and it doesn’t make good economic sense. We do not want to destroy the future we are trying to create.”

Conundrum Holdings managing director Ron Kerr said Mr Wynne needed to consider the number jobs and infrastructure projects that a quarry would support when making his decision.

“This has been a long and worthwhile application, with many opinions and recommendations,” he said.

“While we are yet to be fully informed about the details surrounding the ministerial call-in, we stress that the process is still continuing.

“Conundrum accepts the minister has taken charge of the application given the massive impact this will have on Victoria’s infrastructure and thousands of jobs locally and across the quarrying and construction sector.”

• The landowner of the proposed quarry location is Wally Mott. Mr Mott is also an owner of the North Central Review.

Tigers too strong

The North Central Review

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March 9, 2021

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By Colin MacGillivray

IT was a case of third time lucky for Yea Tigers, who trounced Kilmore by nine wickets to claim a breakthrough Seymour and District Cricket Association A Grade premiership on Saturday.

The Tigers, who joined the association’s top-tier competition in the 2014-15 season, came into Saturday’s decider having lost the past two grand finals to Tallarook, and were determined not to make it three on the trot.

It seemed the coin toss was the only thing that went against Yea on a brilliant afternoon at Kilmore Cricket and Recreation Reserve.
The home side elected to bat after captain Josh Buttler won the toss, but struggled to establish any fluency at the crease.

Buttler and Dale Tassone, one of the association’s most dangerous opening tandems, tried in vain to settle into the innings.

After adding just eight runs in the opening few overs, the partnership was abruptly broken by Yea Tigers skipper Marc Steiner, who had Tassone caught behind for six.

Steiner struck again with his next ball to trap Jacob Walton leg before wicket for a golden duck, sending the home side reeling at 2/8.

Kilmore was in damage control, and the priority for Buttler and new partner Matt Rose was to stem the bleeding. They did so, but adding to the run total proved slow and laborious.

Buttler had been at the crease for more than an hour and a half when, shortly before the drinks break, Tiger Will Dalton struck, removing Buttler for 22 and leaving Kilmore tottering at 3/48.

Dalton and speedster Damon Malcolm continued to cause headaches for the Kilmore middle order after drinks.

Dalton claimed the scalp of Kilmore’s Marcus Davern (9) after an excellent catch by Andrew Butterworth, and Malcolm followed up minutes later to bowl Ben Dawson for a duck.

Next to fall was Rose, who batted doggedly for his 22 runs over nearly two hours.

When Malcolm sent one of Rose’s bails skyward, Kilmore was 6/64 and the crowd could sense a Yea victory in the offing.

Rose was quickly joined on the sidelines by Hayden Smith (0) and Jayme Lowe (1) while Robert Hanson did his best to prop the team up with 11 from 35 balls.

Damon Malcolm eventually bowled Hanson, and his brother Corey followed up quickly with the scalp of Corey Dennehy (4) to have the home side all out for 79 in the 38th over.

Steiner finished with 3/9 from six overs, and Damon Malcolm’s intimidating pace saw him claim 3/14 from eight.

Dalton (2/13) and Corey Malcolm (2/6 from 4.4 overs) were also among the wickets, while Aidan McSpeerin bowled nine excellent overs for a return of 0/22.

Having waited three years for an elusive premiership, the Tigers were in no mood to wait any longer as they chased a target of 80.

Opener Darcy Pell’s dismissal for nine off the bowling of Brett Buttler proved to be little more than a blip on the radar as young batsman Nathan Beattie put on a show of powerful leg-side striking.

Beattie blasted eight fours in a quick-fire 43, with veteran Cam Armstrong also showing excellent touch at the other end.

The pair embraced after Beattie hit the winning runs, and were quickly joined in the middle by their team mates.

Steiner, who was named man of the match, said he was ‘chuffed’ with the performance of his side.

“If someone said to me at the start of the year that we were going to win the flag with the people that we lost, I would’ve said they were dreaming,” he said.

“To their credit, the younger lads have come through with the goods and put in the hard work.

“We just bowled as a team, did what we normally do and it paid off. With the bat the boys backed themselves and chased it pretty quickly.”

Buttler said Kilmore remained capable of challenging for a premiership next season.

“Two years ago we weren’t playing finals. Last year we got to a semi-final and were beaten pretty easily. To beat that side in the semi-final and make a grand final is progress,” he said.

“Each year we’re getting steadily better and hopefully we go one better again next year.”

Furry ferret captures Romsey’s attention

The North Central Review

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March 9, 2021

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Furry ferret captures Romsey’s attention

By Steph McNicol

AN unlikely escapee had Romsey residents on the lookout last month, as hundreds of people followed the escapades of a furry ferret.

His adventures, documented via a series of Facebook posts over five days, had residents intrigued, and finally delighted with his homecoming – some calling for a book deal and a movie in his honour.

Panda the Ferret first made his escape on a Thursday afternoon, and travelled several kilometres through the town before he was found on the following Tuesday.

Kristy, Dan and Dakota Jones were desperate for their pet to return home, as Ms Jones took to Facebook to ask for the community’s help.

Several posts were made about sightings of Panda, and some residents let him go thinking he was a wild animal.

A reward of $100 was offered and a cute photo of Panda circulated via social media, further creating interest among the people of Romsey.

Panda survived days of rain, and possible predators such as dogs, foxes, snakes and cars, along his journey.

Ms Jones was overwhelmed by the support she received from residents, but she admitted finding Panda would be like ‘finding a needle in a haystack’.

Pandas adventure — The map shows how far the ferret travelled.

But for Panda and the Jones family, luck was on their side and Panda was located in a Romsey backyard.

The elated owners happily brought him home, where he gobbled two bowls full of food and ‘slept for about 24 hours’.

“He’s become a lot more loving since he came back,” Ms Jones said.

“We were driving around out late with the torch, in the daylight maybe we’d have a chance, but for him to turn up two-and-a-half kilometres away – it’s insane. Thank god for Facebook.”

Dan, Dakota and Kristy Jones were happy with the return of their pet ferret, Panda.

Mr Jones said it wasn’t the first time Panda had escaped, but they made sure to keep a close eye on him after his big adventure.

“You have to watch him all the time. When I water the garden, I have to keep an eye on him to make sure he doesn’t get out. You turn around for one second and he’s on top of a rack in the garage somehow,” he laughed.

Panda now has a collar with his name on it to ensure he returns home safely if he ever escapes again.

After the furry family member had returned home, many residents wanted to find out how he was doing.

“Everyone wants to meet him now,” Ms Jones said.

One person commented, ‘quite the celebrity Panda!’, while another said, ‘Panda you have been very naughty worrying your family like that, very glad you are home safe and sound’, and people called for Panda to have his own Facebook page.

Some residents also joked that Panda should have a movie made about him: ‘One ferret, 100 rabbits, 80 kilometres of treacherous terrain … PANDA. The story of how one ferret won the hearts of the state. Join Panda on this heart-warming journey through the huge suburb of Romsey as he takes on one rabbit after another is his fight for survival. Coming to a cinema in 2022.’

Mental health priority

The North Central Review

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March 9, 2021

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By Steph McNicol

WHITTLESEA has been named a priority site for mental health support in the final Royal Commission report into Victoria’s ‘broken’ mental health system – one of six regions identified for fast-tracked support.

The State Government hopes to provide the ‘front-door’ support for vulnerable people by mid-2022 or before the end of 2022.

The government has committed to implementing all 65 recommendations made in the final report as a first step to repairing the state’s mental health system, with a ‘how can we help?’ approach.

Whittlesea hosted a Royal Commission hearing in 2019 where residents were able to express their needs and share their stories.

The metropolitan region was chosen because of its high levels of community mental health contacts per capita, in addition to significant evidence supporting ongoing mental health issues related to Black Saturday Bushfires.

Last year, the Coroners Court of Victoria released findings relating to four suicides by South Asian women aged between 29 and 40 in Whittlesea during 2018, with another two suspected suicides from 2019.

Although it is unclear at this stage what the mental health support for Whittlesea will look like, the government has committed to implementing an Adult and Older Adult Mental Health and Wellbeing Services support system – an initiative committed to providing support before people reach a crisis point.

City of Whittlesea Council chair administrator Lydia Wilson said council had been advocating for better mental health services for years and council welcomed the findings by the Royal Commission.

“We are very pleased the City of Whittlesea was named one of six priority sites for new mental health services in the state given our local needs,” she said.

“Health and human services infrastructure in growth areas has not kept pace with population growth and services so we welcome the news that the government will consider population growth when funding future mental health services.”

Ms Wilson said there was a high proportion of vulnerable people in the municipality.

“The City of Whittlesea has a relatively high proportion of vulnerable groups at risk of poor mental health outcomes including women in the perinatal period, women who experience family violence, Aboriginal people and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, so we’re very pleased to see the government will deliver culturally safe services in our area for

Indigenous people experiencing mental health and prioritise funding for Northern Hospital in the next roll-out of adolescent in-patient beds and perinatal mental health services for new mothers,” she said.

“We look forward to working with the Victorian Government in strengthening our mental health system so that all community members of the City of Whittlesea can benefit, after all – mental health impacts us all.”

Member for Yan Yean Danielle Green said the Whittlesea area had been impacted by Black Saturday.

“Our community was particularly impacted by Black Saturday and this will mean people who will struggle with these memories, get the care they need sooner and closer to home,” she said.

People experiencing anxiety, depression or mental illness can contact the national Head to Help program: 1800 595 212. DPV

Health also provides a range of mental health support, including a Head to Help Hub in Broadmeadows, and can be contacted via www.dpvhealth.org.au, or phoning 1300 234 263. LIFT Stepped Model of Mental Health provides expert support from mental health nurses, peer workers, care coordinators and counsellors. People can visit bchs.org.au/services/mental-health/lift-stepped-care-model, phone 9450 2005 or for LifeConnect Suicide Prevention support, phone 1300 052 590, email lifeconnect@neaminational.org.au or visit www.neaminational.org.au/LifeConnect.

If you or someone you know requires immediate help, call: Lifeline: 13 11 14; Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467; or Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800.

Beekeeper monument generates buzz

The North Central Review

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March 9, 2021

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THERE was a buzz in the air when Rotary Club of Southern Mitchell members met with Keep Victoria Beautiful representatives last week to discuss a monument to the region’s most famous beekeeper.

Rotarians are keen to carry out maintenance and improvement works on land around a monument to Frederick Beuhne on the Northern Highway near its intersection with Broadford-Kilmore Road.

Beuhne was a beekeeper who moved from Germany to Tooborac and helped found the Victorian Apiarists’ Association in 1892. He is regarded by some historians as the ‘father of Victorian beekeeping’.

Rotary Club of Southern Mitchell member Ian Dempsey, himself a beekeeper, said he had been intrigued by the monument, which was erected in the 1940s.

“This monument has been here for some time … I always thought it was a Hume and Hovell monument, but it turned out it was for a chap called Beuhne who was one of the very first beekeepers in Victoria,” he said.

“He was the first president of the Victorian Apiarists’ Association. [This road] was his thoroughfare, and back in the 1940s they decided to put a monument up here on the path he would have taken down to Melbourne all the time.

“It’s something a bit different. Being a beekeeper myself it was very interesting to look into the history of it.”

Mr Dempsey said he got other Rotarians interested in beautifying and maintaining the area around the monument, including planting bee-friendly plants, removing weeds and adding information boards describing Beuhne’s life and the history of beekeeping in Victoria.

Mr Dempsey contacted environmental group Keep Victoria Beautiful for assistance with the project.

Keep Victoria Beautiful operates an Adopt a Roadside program in conjunction with VicRoads, providing volunteer groups with the necessary training, equipment and insurance to carry out roadside clean-up and beautification works.

Keep Victoria Beautiful’s Adopt a Roadside program manager Gary Mogford said he worked with volunteer groups to allow them to safely manage themselves.

“We do a lot of initial work with groups to work out what they want to do and then tell them what they can do and what they can’t do, and how and where,” he said.

“VicRoads will approve it and provide safety equipment for them.

“Groups that take part … largely do litter collection as their only activity, but there’s a few groups that do either weed eradication or revegetation work as well.”

Mr Mogford said it was good to have groups taking ownership of their roads.

“There are about 140 groups across Victoria involved and collectively they look after about 730 kilometres of road. If you wanted to drive that you could drive from Orbost to Portland. It’s a substantial activity that takes place across the state,” he said.

“Most groups do litter collection, and conservatively we estimate they’re picking up about 70 tonnes of rubbish per year off the roadsides.”

Pop-up outdoor cinema in Kilmore

The North Central Review

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March 9, 2021

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AN outdoor cinema is popping up at Kilmore Racing Club for four nights, starting next Thursday.

From Thursday, March 18 to Sunday, March 21, Cinema Pop Up will bring its 10-metre screen, a candy bar with popcorn and snacks, as well as a bar for adults.

It will welcome residents to catch up in a COVID-Safe way outdoors.

The sessions are: newly-released animation The Croods: New Age on March 18; Disney classic The Emperor’s New Groove on March 19; Ryan Reynolds as a speed-obsessed snail in animation Turbo on March 20; and John Hughes’s coming-of-age ‘80s icon The Breakfast Club on March 21.

Bookings are essential, and BYO picnic rugs and blankets.

The films cater to all ages, with tickets free for kids under 17, and $5 for adults.

Ticket-holders will also go into the draw to win a weekend away with a $500 Discover Victoria voucher, the use of either a Hilux or Prado from Kilmore/Seymour Toyota, and an additional gift pack.

Cinema Pop Up director Kate Hardwick said she was excited to bring the event back to Kilmore after the pandemic devastated the arts and entertainment industry.

“We’re excited to bring an event of this calibre to regional Victoria,” she said.

“During these challenging times, it’s more important than ever to be with family and friends.

“Having these magnificent partners on board together with support from the Kilmore Racing Club means we can offer an experience people can share in together in a safe environment.”

Kilmore Racing Club chief executive Ben Murphy said he was pleased to host the event after its success in previous years.

“We are excited to welcome Cinema Pop Up back to Kilmore after the incredibly difficult year we have all had due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.

“The movie screenings have been popular for the community in prior years and we are thrilled to be involved again this year. We encourage all in the community to attend one of these wonderful evenings.”

Gates open at 7pm, and guests are encouraged to come for a picnic before the film starts at nightfall – roughly 8pm.

In line with COVID-Safe guidelines, this will be cashless event with pre-booked online ticketing only, capped numbers per square metres, social distancing and sanitizer stations.

Book tickets at cinemapopup.com.au.